Method and apparatus for feeding fruit and vegetables



- April 23, 1946. B. c. COONS 2,393,922

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FRUIT AND VEGETABLES I Filed July 24, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet l F'IEE M3 /74 we /68 gwuem/bob 5097 ON C. C OONJ April 23, 1946;

' B. c. COONS 2,398,922

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FRUI'I AND VEGETABLES Filed July 24, 1942 v 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 April-23, 1946. B. c. cooNs 2,398,922

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FRUIT AND VEGETABLES Filed July 24, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 26 BUQTON c. coo/v5 April 23, 1946. 2,398,922

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FRUIT AND VEGETABLES B. C. COONS Filed July 24, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 QWN April 23, 1946. BJC. COONS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FRUIT AND VEGETABLES Filed July 24, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 F1 E 11 F I Ei 15 ELLE INVENTOR BURTON QCOONS ATT RNEY 2 a w .4 MM w f m a i A Y W MEI L q A 2 S 8 April 23, 1946. I BJC. COONS 1 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FRUIT AND VEGETABLES Filed July 24, 1942 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 F IIEi 1E[ INVENTOR 502mm 6. coo/v.5

ATTORNEY METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FRUIT AND VEGETMS Burton 0. Goons, San Jose, Calif, asaignor to Food Machinery Corporation, San Jose, CaliL, a corporation of Delaware Application nnya 1942, 452,194

31- Claims. (c1. 134-45)- o This" invention relates to a method and apparatus for feeding fruit and vegetable pieces.

The invention is particularly concerned with or count of small fruit.

For convenience, the invention will be described with respect to an embodiment for feeding Maraschino cherry halves to containers for receiving fruit cocktail or mixed fruits. However, it will be understoodthat other food products, for instance cherries, grapes and olives, in

carrot and beet, may be handled and that the number or count of pieces added per container.

This is especially true when there is a scarcity of the fruit or the fruit is costly or has a special decorative value in serving, as in the case of Maraschino cherries. Short count brings complaints from the trade and over counting means feeding an accurate and predetermined number stick. together and their flat sides adhere with considerable suction efiect to a surface upon which they are dropped or pressed. Furthermore, when precooked or even slightly warmed above normal atmospheric temperatures the latter are soft and easily mutilated. Consequently, hand operations are also messy, injurious to the fruit, and invite breakdown in strict sanitary handling iofthe pr i 101:;

"l'he, prior practices at best have been wholly unsatisfactory but so far as I am aware no one whole form, halves, or other sections and. for instance, cubes or other sections of pineapple,

has heretofore provided a solution to this vexatious problem.

In accordance with thepresent invention, the foregoing objections and conditions relative to .the packaging and count of fruit are completely overcome and for the first time a reliable method and apparatus for regularly feeding a predetera loss to the packer. It is alsooftentlmes desired to accurately proportion the contents of a container with difierent fruits or it may be essential to add a specific number of pieces of a certain fruit for flavoring or color.

In the foregoing circumstances, the practice heretofore has been to feed the fruit by hand, using a line of operators, each operator being expected to deposit fruit pieces in each container as it went by. By this practice it was thought that no containers would be entirely missed and that the opportunity for error would be materially reduced.

when it is considered that it is desired to supply 150 cans per minute with a. predetermined number, for example 4 to 8 Maraschino cherries to each can, the enormity of the labor problem will be evident and it will be appreciated that errors readily occur. Manifestly, the practice is costly and cumbersome. Moreover, many fruits are difiicult to handle by hand. Pineapple cubes are slimy and sticky and readily slip from the fingersand Maraschino cherry halves readily mined count of fruit of the aforesaid character becomes possible and without, at any time, em-

' ployin'g hand feed of the'fruit pieces.

It is therefore the general object of the invenand consistent resultsmay be obtained and the enumerated difliculties as respects prior practi'ces be overcome.

- 7 Another object is to provide a method and ap' paratus for accurately feeding a. predetermined number of fruit-pieces from a mass thereof,

which'may be a promiscuous mass.

A further object is to provide a method and apparatus for performing operations of feeding fruit pieces to a place of use or delivery,,in a rapid manner and without mutilating the fruit or touching the same by hand.

An additional object is to provide a method and apparatus for isolating fruit pieces from a promiscuous mass thereof and selectively feeding a predetermined number of those isolated to a place of use or delivery.

A more specific object is toprovide a method and apparatus for isolating individual friut pieces from a promiscuous mass thereof,

Another specific object is to provide a method and apparatus for isolating fruit pieces from a promiscuous mass thereof in a liquid.

Still another object is to provide a method and apparatus for feeding a predetermined number of pieces of different fruit from separate promiscu'ous masses thereof,

' Another object is to provide a method and ap paratus for filling containers with a predetermined count of one or more fruit.

A further object is to provide a method and apparatus or feeding batches of fruit of predetermined count to one or more places of use or delivery and for selectively feeding the fruit with the same or a diiferent count in each batch.

Moreover, it is an object to provide an apparatus that is simple in construction, easily assembled, in which the parts ma be readily repaired or replaced, which will operate continuously, and in a uniform manner, which may be readil controlled, and will efficiently perform the functions for which it is indicated.

In its broad aspect, the invention contemplates isolating fruit pieces from a promiscuous mass thereof in a number at least the predetermined number it is desired to feed, and separating the predetermined number from those isolated. Preferably, individual pieces are separated from the number isolated and selected counts of these brought to a common place of use or delivery. It has been discovered that isolation of the fruit pieces may be best obtained by providing the promiscuous mass of the fruit pieces in a liquid body, such producing and better maintaining separation of the individual pieces and having a buoyant effect upon them. This is aided by agitation of the fruit pieces in the liquid which facilitates flotation of movement of the individual pieces of fruit and assures positioning of a requisite number of pieces for displacement from the mass.

Moreover, it has been found that positive withdrawal of the fruit pieces from the promiscuous mass is best accomplished b direct contact and penetration thereof, preferably utilizing a holdrelation and sequence of one or more of such steps with respect to each other or others; and apparatus embodying features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts, all as exemplified in the disclosure herein.

The sizes of certain parts have been exaggerated in the drawings for purposes of illustration. The disclosure, however, will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

In the. drawings. V

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the rear or fruit delivery side of the apparatus of the invention showing containers in position for receiving a fruit charge;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus also showing a group of containers in position for receiving fruit;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the right side of the apparatus taken as indicated by the arrows 3-3 in Fig. 2, the operating mechanism being shown in fruit displacement position;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken as indicated by the arrows 4-4 in Fig. 2, one of the ing force, for instance suction, to attract and grip the fruit pieces within its influence. vantageously, this procedure is readily controllable to avoid mutilation of the fruit pieces and also lends itself to providing pressure effects in the liquid body to obtain the desired agitation of the fruit. of course, mechanical agitation is feasible and in the case of liquid-logged fruits may be desirable.

Since it is generally necessary to deliver the fruit pieces some distance from the mass, I have found it desirable to impale the predetermined number of pieces of fruit of those isolated from the mass, preferably individually, and to transfer the pieces to the place of use or delivery where they are stripped from their impaling means. This procedure is particularl desirable as it lends itself to a selective operation involving different counts of fruit and/or different varieties of fruit.

Inasmuch as the invention is particularl concerned with the packaging of fruit pieces, provision is also made for feeding containers in a manner whereby one or more containers may be held at a delivery station a suflicient interval of time to receive the contemplated charge of fruit pieces and further containers be Positioned before the following charge reaches them; also, for feeding the same or different counts of fruit pieces to the different containers.

Certain objects and features of the invention have been set forth above and these and other objects will in part be obvious and in part pointed out in the subsequent detailed description, including the claims, and the drawings forming a part thereof in which an exemplified embodiment of the method and means for carrying out the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration and not restriction.

It will be understood that the invention further comprises the various steps to be carried out; the

fruit displacing members being shown in section; A

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, and illustrating the apparatus in fruit pick-up position, one fruit displacement member only being shown in section;

Figs. 6 and 7 are further longitudinal sections taken at 5--5 of Fig. 2, Fig. 6 showing the fruit pick-up and transfer mechanism in discharge position and the fruit displacement members returning for a further charge of fruit pieces and Fig. 7 showing the former fully discharged and the latter in position about to displace further fruit pieces from the tamr;

Fig. 8 is a: partial transverse section taken through the pick-up pin and stripping rack of the pick-up mechanism at 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section taken through the pick-up pin and stripping mechanism and illustrating the pick-up pin in out or inoperative position, the section being taken at 98 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a view, partially in section, of a portion of a pick-up pin;

Figs. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are enlarged sections taken through a single fruit displacement element, Fig. 12 being taken in the direction of the arrows |2--i2 in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 at l3-l3 of Fig. 11 and Fig. 14 at M-It of Fig. 11;

Figs. 15 and 16 are enlarged broken sections of portions of a single fruit withdrawing element.

Fig. 15 showing the piston during the liquid agitating cycle and Fig. 16 during suction cycle;

Figs. 17-19 are schematic views of the container feed and stop mechanism; Fig. 17 showing the filled containers leaving the stop block;

. Fig. 18, a new group of containers entering the stop block and Fig. 19, the containers in filling position; and

Fig. 20 is a partial longitudinal section similar to Fig. 5 showing a modification of the displacement mechanism.

Briefly stated, the exemplified embodiment of the invention generally comprises (see Fig. 5) a tank A, a cherry receptacle B in the tank A, a cherry displacement mechanism C, positioned in the tank A and receptacle B, a cherry delivery and feeding means D, a pick-up and stripping mechanism E. positioned above the displacement mechanism and operable between this position and the delivery means E, and a container feed mechanism F and control mechanism G, below the delivery means D.

At the start of operations the receptacle Bis' filled to a desired level with a promiscuous mass of-cherry pieces in a liquid, suflicient liquid being present to cover the cherry mass and to preferably separate the individual pieces and render them buoyant. Thetank A is also filled with liquid to a similar level as the receptacle B and the'liquid is preferably freeto flow from oneto the other. The displacement mechanism oper ates in the liquid in the tank and receptacle moving in and out of the cherry mass to isolate pieces therefrom. The pickeup mechanism E is timed to be in pick-up position when the cherry pieces are isolated andv moved above the liquid level in the receptacle, and a predetermined number of cherry pieces are impaled thereby. The pick-up mechanism is then moved to the delivery means D where the cherry pieces are stripped from the formerypassing into the delivery means from which they are discharged into containers positioned by the container feed mechanism F, in accordance with the operation of the control mechanism G.

Referring now specifically to Figs. 1-20 inclusive of the drawings, in which similar numerals designate similar parts of the structure and referring especially to Figs. 1 to 7 thereof, 2i) is an elongated horizontal supporting base to the opposite. ends of which are secured vertical posts 22. These posts extend the full height of the apparatus and serve as supporting members or masts between which to carry the operating so that its ends 52 are spaced from the ends 54' of the tank 30. Moreover, as illustrated in Figs. 5, Band '7 its front side 56 is spaced from the front side 58 of the outer tank, while the' rear side 60 'lies close to the rear side62 of the outer tank.

mechanism. The posts are tightly fitted in the base 20, and additionally held by set screws 24. The upper ends of the posts are connected by a tie member 26, which is held in place by bolts 28 and forms a rigid supporting frame with the base and posts.

As seen in Figs. 4 and 5, two elongated tanks, an outer tank 30, and an inner tank 32, which may constitute a receptacle in the, tank 30, are carried in the upper half of the space between the posts 22. Both tanks are rectangular in shape and open at the top. The outer tank is stiffened with upper and lower straps 33 and 36 respectively, which extend around its periphery to reinforce it and has supporting brackets 35 fixed to its opposite ends adjacent the bottom thereof as by welding. These brackets are adjustably mounted on the posts 22 to which they are locked by set screws 36 when the tank is located at the desired level. The inner tank serves as a fruit reservoir and has-a pouring apron 31 extending the length of its front edge and projecting outwardly at an acute angle over the tank 30. The

apron has upwardly turned ends 38 and is welded to the front edge of the tank 32 and braced by brackets 39 and 40 to the straps 33 and 34 respectively of the tank 30. Both tanks receive liquid to facilitate functioning of the cherry displacement mechanism hereinafter described.

At one end of the outer tank 30 is an overflow rower and of lesser depth than the outer tank 80. As shown in Fig. 4, it is located in the tank 30 The upper edge of the inner tank 32 is substantially on alevel with the outer tank 30 and the bottom 6 thereof is sufliciently distant from the bottom 66 of the outer tank to provide space for the further mechanism to be described. The inner tank 32 is supported in the aforesaid position by end brackets 68 (Fig. 4) secured to the tank as by welding, which in turn are supported from and are adjustably mounted and locked by set screws on overhanging rods I0 (Figs. 2 and 4) which project downwardly into the tank 30 between the end walls 52 and 56 of the two tanks at each end of the machine. These rods find their support in brackets 12, from which they overhang.

The latter brackets are adjustably mounted on the posts 22 and set screws 73 lock them in position.

The inner tank 32, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

' has a plurality of openings It whereby liquid may i pass from the outer to the inner tank or vice versa and the liquid in both. tanks be maintained at a common level. Moreover, secured interior of the tank 32 at each-end, adjacent its upper active volume of the tank 32 and thus keep cheroutlet 62 (Fig. 4) and an elbow and pipe 45 and M respectively (Fig. 3) whereby liquid in the tanks may be maintained at the level 48 (Fig. 4)

In thebottom of the tank 30 is a threaded outlet 50 from which the liquid may be drained when emptying or cleaning out the tank. In operation of the apparatus this outlet is closed by a suitable plug or it may be connected by a pipe line with valve connection. may be used as an inlet and a constant flow of liquid be provided'during operation of the machine the same overflowing at the outlet 42.

The inner-tank or receptacle 32 is shorter, nar- If desired, the outlet 50' ries clear of certain mechanism not in use. Moreover, one or more partitions may be used to provide compartments to handle different fruits simultaneously.

Cherry displacement or feeding mechanism in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and '7. The mechanism is arranged for vertical operation in the tanks 3E and 32, penetrating the mass of cherry pieces placed in the tank 32 and removing cherry pieces therefrom. The member 18 includes a plurality of similar elongated hollow cherry displacement members, for instance the carrying and feeding tubes 82, slidably mounted for vertical movement, in suitable bearing bushings 84 fixed in the bottom face 64, of the inner tank 32. The tubes 82, are preferably open at their lower ends where they project into the tank 30. An enlarged detail of the tube 32 is shown in Fig. 11. Fixed slightly inwardly from the upper end of. the tubes 82, are perforated pieces 86, which form a cuplike cherry engaging seat or recess with the projecting tapered lip 88 of the tubes. The pieces 86 have openings or perforations 90 through which are rigidly held adjacent their lower ends by a carrying plate 91 which ties all the tubes into a single acting member.

It will be understood that the number of fruit feeding tubes. are optional, such being solely limited by practical considerations and the number of cherry pieces to be fed at any one time. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, for example, the tubes have posts 22 adjacent the upper edge of the'tank 20.

Also, slidablymounted in thebrackets 12, on each side of the machine are cam rods 96, which alsojor bringing cherry piecesinto the path-of and under the influence of these members and, moreover, to provide for forcibly retaining cherry pieces to these members until a short time before their removal therefrom and without mutilating them. While it will be understood that these functions may be performed by separately operating elements, all are preferably obtained, as shown inthe illustrated embodiment through the cooperative relative reciprocatory action of the displacement tubes 82 and pistons I40 (Fig.

raise and lower the cherry displacing member 18 by actuating thelift rods 94. The upper ends of the cam rods are rigidly connected with their respective adjacent lift rods by connecting links or bars 90 in which they are rigidly held. The lower ends of the cam rods 96 pass through clearance holes in the brackets 35 and are rigidly connected to a slotted guide bar I00 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4-) as by set screws I 02. The slots I04 (Fig. 3) of these bars preferably have a length at least equal to the total movement of the cherry carrying member 18, and fit over a horizontal drive shaft I06, with which they are slidably engaged for guiding. It will be observed that the drive shaft axis is vertically in line with the upper bearing of the lift cam rod, in

the bracket I2, so that this member of which the slotted guide bar is a part moves in a straight path.

The drive shaft I 06 is rotatably journaled in right and left hearing blocks I08, adjustable on the posts 22 and held by set screws or pins 0. The shaft is further journaled in a central pillow block II2, secured by bolts II4 (Fig. 1) to the brackets IIG, mounted upon the base 20 by bolts H8.

Projecting laterally from the guide bars I00, are cam rollers I20 shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 3, which are rotatably mounted upon shouldered studs I22, rigidly secured to the guide bars I00. These rollers engage in cam tracks I24 of the right and left lift cams I26 fixed to the shaft I06. The cams I26yraise and lower the rollers I20 which in turn move the intercon nected lift cam rods 96, lift rods 94 and cherry. displacing member 18 with its tubes 82.

In order to reduce the operating load upon the lift cams when raising the cherry carrying member I0, sectional compression lift springs I28 are provided over suitable guide sleeves I30 on the lift cam rods 96. The adjacent ends of the spring sections abut each other to form a long compression spring having little or no side defiection in operation. The upper-most spring section bears against collar I32 pinned to the rod 86 and the lower section bears against stationary tank bracket 35. In operation, the springs are compressed when the cherry displacing member 18 moves down, at which time this compression is the only working load on the cam. When the direction of movement is reversed the force stored in the springs helps the cams I28 lift the cherry displacing member.

The lift cams I26 are driven through shaft I06 from a suitable source of power, for instance, an electric motor I34 having a built-in reduction gear and an output pinion I36 (Fig. l) which engages a gear I38, fixed to the drive shaft I 08.

An important feature of the invention is to provide for agitation of the cherry massv 80 to obtain a more favorable positioning of the cherry pieces in relation to the displacement member;

11 one of which is positioned to operate in each tube. As shown in greater detail in Fig. 11, each piston I40 is fitted over a piston rod I42 at a point distant from its upperend. A guide washer I 44 having, as shown in Fig. 13, four tooth-like radial projections I 46 producing the general shap of a cross is centered and secured to the upper end of the piston rods I42 as by a screw I40. The washer I55 is positioned in the tube 82 with its projections slidably fitting the inner wall of the tube.

The lower end of the piston rod has a threaded portion :50, which extends through a tie-plate I 52 to which the rod is secured by check nuts I54 on each side of the plate. The threaded portion is of suillcient length to allow for adjustment of the rod, in relation to the tie-plate. All

of the piston rods are secured in this manner to the tie-plate I52 which thus makes a single operating unit of all the pistons. The tie-plate is fixed as'by welding to adjustable and brackets I 56 (Fig. 4) which are positioned at the lower ends of the overhanging stationary rods I0, adjacent the bottom 66 of the tank 30 and are fixed in position by suitable set screws I51. It will be observed that the pistons are therefore also stationary relative to the tank and frame of the apparatus and that the tubes 82 move relative to the piston.

The piston I40, preferably comprises a relatively soft, flexible washer of highly elastic and durable material, forinstance gum rubber or a rubber latex, or other synthetic gum or plastic of similar elastic properties. Washers punched from an.amber colored sheet gLun rubber, as made by the Goodyear Rubber Company, have performed satisfactorily. The washer is preferably clamped between upper and lower collars I58 and IE0, respectively, which form a head therefor and may be locked in any position along the piston rod I42, by set screws I62. Thelower collar has a shoulder portion I64 of reduced size bearing against the washer and in the disclosed embodiment this portion is of smaller diameter than the collar I58 where it abuts the upper portion of the piston. It will be observed that the piston comprises in eifect a rigid central portion and a flexible concentric peripheral portion.

The exemplified cherry displacing mechanism is operated by rotation of the cams I26 which transmit vertical movement during a portion of their rotation, to the tubes 82 through the lift rods 94, springs I28 and carrying plate 9i. The endless tracks I24 of the cams give the tubes a reciprocatory motion with a dwell or dead period between changes in direction of motion.

Assuming that liquid is in the tanks 30 and 22 and that a mass of cherry pieces is in the tank 32 and further, assuming a position of the tubes 82 at the end of their upward movement, as shown in Fig. 5, which corresponds relatively speaking to the maximum outstroke of the piston having then passed their effective positions. In this position the pistons are outside the tubes in the liquid below the tank 32, the upper ends or cherry carrying or engaging seats 86 of the tubes are completely out of-the liquid, and the cross-shaped guide washers I44 remain in engagement with the tubes, but the liquid flows through the spaces between the projections I46 thereof. In this position of the tubes 82 the cherry pieces are settled in the tank and are relatively quiescent though buoyantly arranged in the liquid in the space between the tubes.

On the return or downward movement of the tubes 82, which corresponds relatively speaking to the instroke of the piston, the cherry engaging seats 86 pass below the level 48 of the liquid in the tank 32 and when the tubes have reached the position shown in Fig. 6 the pistons have entered the tubes, the guide washers centering the pistons in the relative movement that has taken place. The pistons are now in efiective position, i. e., the lower ends of the tubes are now substantially closed and continued downward movement of the tubes produces some agitation of the quiescent cherries and in particular causes the pistons to apply pressure against liquid in the tubes, whereupon jets of the liquid are forced through the openings 9|! of the cherry engaging seats 86 and projected into the mass of cherries 80 and liquid in the tank 32. These jets produce. a positive disturbance or agitation of the liquid in the tank 32 and a stirring'and flotation of the individual cherry pieces of the mass thereof in the liquid. The action has the distinct advantage of causing the cherry pieces of the mass thereof to floatover and into position or range of the cherry engaging seats 86 as the tubes pass below the uppermost level of the mass of cherries.

Agitation of the cherry mass continues until the down stroke of the cherry displacement tubes is completed at which time the tubes will be substantially as illustrated in Fig. 7, from which it will be observed that the cherry engaging seats ment mechanism now produce a reversal or upward movement thereof causing liquid behind the pistons M to be displaced and exhausted from the tubes, thus producing a vacuum or suction reached after many operations of the tubes durin which each tube emittedfrom the liquid with at least onecherry piece centrally of the seat or havingan edge portion over the central region thereof;

The suction eiiect or holding force continues until the displacement tubes reach a position where the pistons leave the tubes, at which timeliquid from the-tank passes the pistons and breaks the suction efiect. During any remaining movement of the displacement tubes all the cherry pieces lying for their greater part within the cupped cherry engaging seat will remain there. The remainder will fall back into the liquid or-be floated oil, dependent upon the position of the tubes at the time suction is broken. The suction breaking point will be governed somewhat by the character and size of the cherry pieces being handled and by the requirements of the operation but preferably is made to occur just as the cherry engaging seat 86 reaches the surface of the liquid in tank 32. It will be observed that this point. may readily be changed by merely shifting the piston on the piston rods through the means provided.

The size of the cherry withdrawal tubes and the size and number of openings in the cherry carrying seat are also factors determined by the character of the fruit to be handled and nature of the operation. For example, in handling of cherry halves, it is preferred that the tubes not be too large, in order to avoid too much flow of liquid and pilin up of cherry pieces, which may make it diificult to remove a predetermined numher in the subsequent operations. On the other hand, the tubes should not'be too small, otherwise an insuiiicient volume of liquid may pass through the tubes and the suction effect may be insuiiicient to prevent cherry pieces from being knockedoff during continued movement of the take as they pass other cherries in the liquid mass of the tank.

' inches and having, as shown in Fig. 12, seven holes efiect at the cherry engaging or perforate seats of the tubes and upon any liquid ahead of the piston. When this occurs there is also a rapid tubes or within sufiicient influence of the suction effect are drawn into the path of the tubes and upon contact with the seats 85 cover more or less of the openings in the seat 86 and are held thereto by the support given thereby and by the partial vacuum created ahead of the piston.

Due to the arrangement of openings 90 in the cherry engaging seat 86 it is believed that maximum attract-ion occurs at the central portion of the seat and that the initial cherry piece is drawn to this position orsubstantially so and anyothers arranged themselves in diverse positions-at the marginal portion of the seat. This conclusion is about one-eighth inch in diameter and arranged with one in the center and six about the center one, give satisfactory results.

The number of cherry halves adhering to tubes of this size, that is, remaining upon the cherry engaging seats at the upper end of the stroke is indeterminate, but experience in many continuous runs has shown that this number will vary with the s ze of the cherries and the suction efiect produced in the tubes. Generally, the number is between 1 and 3 and may be a fixed number over long runs. However, as previously stated, there is always at least one cherry half displaced by each of the tubes and that one is positioned so that a portion of the cherry half is over the center portion .of the cherry engaging seat 86. Accordingly, where continuous faultless count of cherry halves is desired it is preferred that the cherry pick-up mechanism be arranged to remove a single cherry half in each operation of the tubes. Any others may be returned to the cherry 1'8? ceptacle on the down stroke of the tubes.

Another important feature of the fruit displacement mechanism is the character and size of the pistons. As previously stated, it is preferred that the marginal portion of the piston be of highly elasticand resilient character, for instance be made of gum rubber of the type disclosed. Moreover, although it would be expected that the piston should fit the tube, I have found it preferable to make the normal size (its size before assembly in the tube) of. the piston slightly under the inside diameter of the tube, about one-sixtyfourth of an inch wail clearance having been found in practice to be preferable and satisfactory. Thus, in a tube having a one and one quarter inch internal diameter, the preferable size of the piston is one and seven-thirty-seconds of an inch.

A piston of the aforesaid character, not only acts to produce the liquidragitation and suction effects described above, but furthermore serves as an automatic valve-like relief device to smooth out the action of the piston in either of these agitation or suction operations and to facilitate holding of fruit pieces without mutilating them or drawing them into the tubes, particularly if the pieces be soft. It has been found that even in a small size displacement tube the pressure and suction effect is considerable and that by making the piston somewhat under the size of the tube. th agitation'and suction effects may be lessened to a reasonable amount without losing them altogether and the possibility of mutilating soft fruit pieces be also avoided. The success of this operation is believed principally attributable to the fact that a flexible piston of the aforesaid character assumes a shape somewhai. as shown in Fig. 15, in the down or pressure stroke of the tube and assumes a reverse position as shown in Fig. 16 in the up or suction stroke of the tube.

It will be appreciated that when, during the suction operation, one or more cherry pieces are drawn to the cherry engaging seat one or more of the openings in the cherry engaging seat will become partly or wholly covered and there is a tendency for the suction effect to build up by reason of the reduction in liquid passage area caused by such stoppage. Under such conditions,

it is believed that the piston, as shown in Fig. 16, merely flexes a slightly greater extent in the upward direction and permits a. greater flow or leakage of liquid by the same, thereby automatically balancin the los of liquid input at the seat and reducing the suction effect to a safe amount. Similarly, if in the pressure stroke of the cherry displacement tubes the resistance at the seats builds up so as to tend toward stronger jets, such is released by a further downward flexing of the piston, as shown in Fig. 15. By changing the size of the piston'engaging shoulders of the piston heads I58 and I60 for the particular fruit being handled, one side may b permitted to flex more readily than the other and in this way the relief valve effect maybe adjusted to suit the suction and pressure conditions of operation.

Thus, the disclosed piston embodiment not only acts to produce the liquid jets for agitating the cherry mass and a suction eflect for drawing and holding cherry pieces upon the cherry engaging seats, but also serves to smooth out these effacts in operation of the cherry displacement tubes in their up and down strokes and avoid mutilation of the cherry pieces, especially when the mas 80 contains soft pieces. Moreover, the described cherry displacement mechanism also thus provides a, means for isolating or displacing. from the mass 80 the cherry pieces in the tank 32, an indeterminate or small number of cherry pieces alllys numbering at least one.

Cherry transfer or pick-up and count mechanism A further important feature of the invention is the transfer or pick-up and stripping means E provided for removing from the displacement tubes and transferring to a place of use or delivery, a predetermined number of the cherry pieces isolated by such tubes from the promiscu ous cherry mass.

It has been previously stated that in handling cherry halves with the disclosed embodiment of the invention there i always at least a portion of one cherry piece over the center of suction which by reason of the tube structure in the disclosed embodiment places it over the center portion of the tube. Moreover, it appears that the number of cherry pieces displaced in a single movement of a tube doe not alter this result. Where more than one cherry piece is removed the remainder appear to arrange themselves haphazardly around the central one upon the seat of the tube. faces, others upon the flat portion thereof, and still others may be held edgewise to the tube by the suction effect and may subsequently alter such position when. the suction is released.

In view of the above phenomenon, it is preferred, in order to secure the highest accuracy of count, to remove a single cherry piec from each tube in every operation of the transfer or pick-up mechanism. Moreover, it is preferred that the pick-up mechanism be arranged to remove the centrally positioned cherry piece referred to above.

Any suitable mechanism may be provided for picking up the individual cherry'pieces from the seat 86 of the displacement tubes 82. In the preferred embodiment such mechanism is suspended over the displacement tubes and is mounted for reciprocatory movement in a horizontal plane to move the same from pick-up position over the tubes to the discharge position at the rear side of the machine. The transfer mechanism comprises pick-up elements generally designated by the numeral I 64 (Fig. 10) which are in the nature of freely operating, gravity acting members having a spear-like pin with a barb point for engagingv the cherry pieces by impact and penetrating them. Once impaled the fruit pieces remain fixed to the pin until forcibly removed. In the instant embodiment the cherry pieces are impaled by moving the tubes 82 carrying the cherry pieces into the path of the pins which then are stationary relative to the tubes, the cherry pieces impacting with the pins and becoming impaled thereon. Each pick-up pin is sufllciently weighted to obtain the p p r impact and a sharp penetration thereof into the fruit and, furthermore, is movably mounted vertically to give freely after impact takes place' and a single fruit piece has been impaled by the barb.

A plurality of transfer or pick-up elements are carried in racks I66 (Fig. 9) of U-shaped section that extend transversely of the machine, as shown in Fig. 1. In the disclosed embodiment four racks (Fig. 2)'are provided corresponding to the number of transverse rows of displacement tubes 82. The pick-up elements I64 are, moreover, spaced apart on the racks a distance corresponding to the transverse spacing of the displacement tubes 82, and the racks are spaced apart distances corresponding to the longitudinal spacing between the tubes.

The pin racks are supported directly over the Some may rest on their rounded nuts H2, that clamp the racks with respect to the brackets.

The brackets I68, are movably supported at each end of the machine from spider members Ht (Fig. 2), the latter being adjustably secured to the posts 22 by set screws [16 for vertical positioning. The spider arms project inwardly and divergently over the tank, terminating in the bearings E18 and I80 in which longitudinally ex-, tending rods I82 are slidably supported in a horizontal plane. These rods carry the aforementioned pin rack brackets l68, one leg of the brackets being fixed to the ends or the rods I82 at the rear side of the machine, and being positioned beyond the spider arm bearing lid, and

the other leg of each bracket being fixed to the respective rods at a position between the spider bearings. 'The rods 182', as will be seen in Fig. 2, extend through the spider bearings I80, at the front side f the machine, a suificient distance to provide for the longitudinal movement of the pin racks from pick-up to discharge position.

In order to protect persons from injury, by the projecting rods whenin motion, stationary tubes lad are loosely fit over the rods and are threaded at their inner ends into brackets I88 secured as by bolts i88 (see Fig; 2) to the bearings N0 of the spider members Ht. As best shown in Fig. 3, each bracket I88 also carries an adjustable screw stop 998, which may be locked by a check nut I92. The purpose of these stops is to make sure that the pick-up mechanism comes to a dead stop with its pick-up elements it axially aligned with their corresponding cherry displacement tubes 82 positioned below when moved into pickup position or with such position of the tubes as is deemed best for the pick-up operation. In orderto cushion the brackets I68 at each end of their travel, resilient washers ass (Fig. 2), for instance of rubber, are located on the rods I82 between the spider bearings and the adjacent legs of the brackets I68.

The pick-up elements I 84, as shown in enlarged view in Figs. 8 and 9 are carried in elongated tubular sleeves I96, which project downwardly, normal to the racks I65. The upper ends of the sleeves are fitted into receiving recesses in the racks, and may be rigidly welded thereto and their lower ends are free. These sleeves guide the pick-up elements in their operation.

The pick-upelements (Figs. 8 and 10) comprise a pin holder I58, a pick-up pin'or spear 2N! and a collar 202. The pin holder is slidably fitted in the sleeve I96 and has a neck portion 205 of reduced size to reduce the weight of holder and the extent of friction surface in the tube. The holder also has a shank portion 206, the end of which is suitably bored to receive the stafl? 208 of the pickup pin. The pin has a slender neck portion 2H3, which terminates in a barb 2 I 2, the back shoulder of which prevents the cherry piece from falling ed the pin once it penetrates the same. In assembling the pins in the holders the distance from the barb M2 to the lower end of the shank portion 205 is preferably set so that only a single piece of fruit will be penetrated. By reason of this setting only the topmost cherry will e impaled where several are piled one on another on the seat 85 or the displacement tube .82.

The collar 202 is adjustably secured to the upper end of the pin holder as by the set screws 2 It. It will be observed that the collar rests upon the rack I66 and determines the limit of downward movement of the pin. It also serves to weight the pin. Additional weight may be obtained by adding more collars. In operation the collar 202 is preferably located to allow ior cient relative movement of the tube 82 and pickup pin 200 to carry the cherry piece'into impact with the pick-up pin and be impaled thereby, allowance being made for some give by the cherry piece. Generally, the collar may be set so that the barb 2:2 just falls short of touching the seat- 86 of the displacement tube 82 when the latter is at maximum up position.

It will be observed that thelower end of the shank portion 20B of the pin holder has a curbed surface that tapers down to where the shank meets the neck portion 2W of the pick-up pin. This shaping is an important feature as it prevents cherry pieces which are not in position to be impaled, but which are positioned edgewise on 'thecarrying seat 86 of the displacement tube.

and inposition to contact the shaft of the pin or the shank of the holder from cushioning or entirel preventing the pick-up pin from, reaching or impaling a cherry piece it is desired to remove lying flatwise in the central portion of the carrying seat. If the shank portion of the holder terminated, for instance, in a pronounced shoulder such could strike an edgewise positioned cherry piece and prevent the pick-up pin from getting.

within reach of the cherry piece in its path and which it was desired to impale. Of course, if the pin were positive in its motion instead of floating it would continue its movement to reach the cherry piece to be picked up but might crush and mutilate the edgewise positioned piece in its path intercepted by the shoulder portion of the pin holder.

The described taper permits the pick-up elements to cam any interfering cherry piece clear of the pin holder shank and enables the pin to travel the distance necessary to impact the cherry piece to be removed and impale the same. The taper also aids in avoiding any substantial cushioning of the force of impact in the case of gravity acting pins, that would prevent the pin from penetrating the cherry piece to be picked up. The mas of the pick-up pins, should of course be selected to produce sufiicient impact between'the cherry pieces andpins, due consideration being given to the rate of movement of the displacement tubes and the relative distance the pins must move. It will be understood that all of the pick-up pins need not be operated at any one time but that certain pick-up pins in eachor anyrow of pins may be selected for operation in order that a predetermined number of cherry pieces may be delivered to the place of use or delivery. Thus. as illustrated in Figs. 2, 5, 6 and 7, it may be desired to have an entire transverse row of pins out or operation. In order to render one or more pick-up pins inoperative, each pin rack is provided with a longitudinal strap or bar MB .(Figs. 8 and 9) wihch is located between the end brackets 168 and stands edgewise upon the rack ltd, to the upper surface of which it is secured as by welding. The upper or free edge 2l8 of this have a long shank portion 222. The bars 2|6, are also positioned adjacent the pick-up pins and to remove the latter from operation it is merely necessary to raise the pick-up pins so that the set screw is above the upper edge 2I8 of the bar 216,

rotate the pick-up pins so that the set screw 2 I is normal to the face of the bar 2i6 and above the slot 226 and drop the shank 222 of the set screw into such slot. The pick-up pins will then assume the position as shown in Fig. 9. Thus it will be evident that any one or more of pick-up pins may be selectively and quickly taken out of operation when required or to be replaced. This feature is a particularly desirable one during canning operations to enable the operator to make a quick change over from the number of pieces being fed at any time to a greater or lesser number. It will be understood that Maraschino cherries, before reaching the canner are graded in 5 or 6 sizes so that some barrels received by the canner may contain one size and others a difierent size. In starting a new barrel containing cherry pieces of a different size it becomes necessary for the canner, in order to meet the-weight standards of the canning trade, to change the number of cherry pieces being fed to each container. It will be manifest that such change is a simple matter with the gravity acting pick-up pins described above.

In the described embodiment of the invention, all of the pick-up pins are simultaneously moved from their pick-up position immediately above the cherry displacement tubes to a place of delivery or discharge, by driving the pin rack supporting brackets I68 through rocker arms 224 at each side of the machine, the latter being operated by cams 226, also located on each side of the machine and secured on the drive shaft I06, thisstructure being best seen in Figs. 1 and 3.

The rocker arms 224 are pivotally journaled on shafts 228 (Figs. 1 and 3) fixed in the bearing brackets 236 which are secured by bolts 23l (Fig.

to brackets 232, the latter being adjustably secured to the posts 22 by set screws 234. The rocker arms have ofiset leg portions 235 in order that the arm may clear the displacement tube lift cam. The hubs of the rocker arms 224 are U-shaped to straddle bearing brackets 230 and the offset leg portions 235 of the rocker arms are secured to such hubs as by bolts 236 (Fig. 3).

The oiiset leg portions 235 of the rocker arms are somewhat longer than thelower legs so as to multiply the motion imparted by the cam 226 to the pin racks. The upper end of each leg portion 235 is fork-shaped forming an elongated slot 236 (Fig. 3) embracing a roller 246 (see Fig. 2) which cams in the slot as the arm rocks back and forth in response to the cam 226. The roller 240 is rotatably journaled upon a stud 242 which is rigidly secured in ?he stud bracket 244 as shown in Fig. 1. The stud bracket is secured as by bolt 246 (Figs. 1 and 3) to the pin rack brackets I68. A washer 248 and a split pin 250 (Fig. 1) retain the roller on the stud. A cam roller 252 (Fig. 3) is rotatably journaled upon a stud 254 that is fixed to the lower en'cl of the short leg of the rocker arm by the nut 256, and projects into the camway 251 of the cam 226.

Rotation of the cam 226 imparts motion to the short leg of the rocker arm 224 which in turn is multiplied through the long leg 235 of this member and this motion is transmitted into a linear movement through roller 240 to the pin rack mechanism. The transverse rows of pick-uppins are thus carried, one by one, from the pick-up position to the discharge position, as shown in Figs. 5,.6 and 7, or vice versa. Movement of the pick-up mechanism is coordinated with that of the displacement tubes through proper setting of cams I26 and 226 so that the pick-up pins are in position over the tubes when the tubes move upwardly with their charges of cherries, and are discharging cherry pieces while the tubes are renewing their charges.

In order to release the impaled cherry pieces from the pick-up pins, stripper bars 258 (Figs, 5. 6, 8 and 9) are provided that extend-the full width oi the machine taking in a whole transpieces from each line of pins as they move into position.

In the disclosed embodiment the stripper bars 258 fit over the pick-up guide tubes I96 02 the pin racks and are secured at their ends to brackets 260 as by welding. This construction may be best seen in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The brackets 26!) are slidably fitted over the guide studs I16, previously referred to, secured in the brackets I68 that carr the pin racks and, accordingly, the stripper bars move along with the pin rack mechanism. It will be observed from Figs. 8 and 9 that the studs I16 are made of sufllcient length that the stripper bar brackets may move a considerable distance downwardly to carry the stripper bars past the barbs 2I2 oi the pick-up elements I64, thus enabling the stripper bar to force oil? the barbs any cherry pieces that may be held thereby.

The stripper bars are of gravity acting character. They are raised above the barbs 2l2 of the pins and maintained there until the cherry pieces are to be discharged by a cam roller 262 connected to each end bracket 260 through a stud 263 (Figs. 3 and 8) upon which it is rotatably journaled. The cam rollers 262 ride upon longitudinally extending stationary flat cams 264 (Figs. 1 and 3) oneoi which is located at each side of the machine and-whose contour determines the movement of the stripper bars.

The stationary cams 264 are-held by bolts 266 to a rear frame comprising two L-shaped brackets 268 connected at their upper ends by a tying angle 216 as by welding (see Figs. 1 and 3). The lower ends of the L members 268 project inwardly and are held as by the bolts 212 (Fig. l) to adjustable tank brackets 35 secured to the posts 22. Tie-straps 214 (Fig. 1) are provided at the intersections of the L. members and the upper tie piece and rigidity the frame by connecting it back to the adjustable brackets 12, also secured to the posts 22. The straps 214 are held to the tie member and'brackets by screws 216,

It will be observed that the. stripper cams 264, as shown in Fig. 3, extend longitudinally over the tanks cantilever fashion, and have a horizontal cam track portion 218 and a downward sloping track portion 260 connecting the horizontal portion. Moreover, it will be observed that the entire weight of the stripper bar mechanism is upon these cam tracks and that as the cam rollers 262 v asoaeaa follow the tracks the stripper bars move from one vertical plane to another, dropping to a lower plane and past the barbs of the pick-up pins as the rollers go down the sloping track portion 280. Check nuts 282, Figs. 3 and 8, are provided upon the studs I that carry-the stripper bar brackets 260 to prevent the stripper bar mechanism from dropping off the pick-up mechanism in the event that the cam rollers should over-ride the cam tracks. These check nuts also act as limit stops for the downward movement of the stripperv bars. 1

When the pick-up mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 5, the pick-up pins are then immediately over and'substantially coaxial with the cherry displacement tubes and as the tubes move upwardly, the barbs pierce the cherry pieces car ried by the tubes and they remain upon the former as the displacement tubes again recede into the tank. At this time the stripper bar rollers 262 are all engaged, as shown in Fig. 3, with the horizontal track portion 218 of the cams 264.

, The position of the stripper bar at this time in relation to the pins is shown in greater detail in Fig. 8. As the pick-up mechanism is moved to the right, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the rows of pick-up pins pass directly over discharge or delivery hoppers 282. In this motion of the pick-up mechanism the stripper bar rollers change from the horizontal track portion 218 to the downwardly sloping portion 280 and carry the stripper bars downwardly over the ick-up pins until finally when the pick-up pins are above the discharge hoppers 282 the stripper bars go past the ends of the barbs and strip any cherry pieces therefrom directing the same into the hoppers.

It will be observed from Figs. 6 and 7 that this action occurs with each transverse row of pick-up pins, one row after the other. When all of the rows have discharged .their cherry burden, as shown in Fig. 7, the pick-up mechanism then returns to its position over the displacement tubes for a further charge of cherry pieces. The cams 254 are adjustable so as to accurately determine the point at which the stripper bars remove the cherry pieces from the pick-up pins and direct them to the discharge tubes 282. The bolt holes in the base of the cams for receiving the bolts 258, are slotted as at 283 (Fig. l) to provide for this adjustment. 7

The discharge or delivery mechanism D comprises hoppers 282 arranged in a bank,'as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, along the rear side of the machine and are secured as by bolts 284 to the tiebar Ziii of the stripper cam supporting frame. In the exemplified embodiment a separate hopper is provided for each longitudinal row of pick-up pins. The hopper is open at the top and bottom and, tapers, as shown in Fig. 5, from the upper end to the lower end thereof. The inner surface 285- of the hopper is of a roughened character, being pebbly-like or furnished with a multiplicity of small bumps in a nature of a hammered surface. This is an important feature in connection with handling cherry halves as it prevents cherry ieces dropping from the pick-up pins, upon being stripped therefrom, from sticking to the surface of the hopper by the suction effect of their cupped portions. If the surface 285 were smooth, half cherries could readily stick to it and not be discharged.

Connected to the lower end of the hoppers 282 held to the tubes by the wire tie members 290. Thus the delivery tubes are flexible in nature and it will be observed from Fig. 1 that these discharge or delivery tubes may be grouped together in order to deliver the cherry pieces from more than one longitudinal row of pick-up pins to a single delivery point, for example a container, held below the grouped discharge tubes; The tubes may be held in grouped relationship by, tie-backs or clasps 282 (see Fig. 1) which are slidably ad'- justable on a bar 294 held by screws 298 to the frame member 268.

As shown in Fig. 1, all but the delivery tube at th extreme right are grouped in pairs. It will be.

understood, however, that morethan two of these.

tubes may be grouped together at one point, and that various combinations may be obtained in order to deliver the same or different counts of cherry pieces to succeeding containers moved with respect to the discharge tubes.

Container feeding and discharge mechanism Inasmuchas the present apparatus has particular use in'fruit canning and packing, coopcrating mechanism F is also provided for continuously bringing containers into position with respect to the discharge tubes 286 of the apparatus, and removing such containers after receiving their charge of cherry pieces. Moreover, provision is made for moving one or more containers into position below the discharge tubes where they are held for an interval of time sufiicient to receive their charge and are then moved on to the discharge end of the machine. Furthermore, movement of the containers is coordinated with the pick-up mechanism so that one or a battery ofcontainers, as the case may be, are in position to receive a charge of cherry pieces when the pick-up mechanism. is discharging the same. It will be understood of course that if desired the containers may be continuously moved past the delivery tubes, their rate of movement being adjusted to enable each container to receive its charge as it passes below its discharge tube.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive and Figs. 17 to 19 inclusive of the drawings which illustrate the container delivery and discharge mechanism, the containers are carried and movedby a belt 300 in the direction of the arrows in these figures. The belt is con tinuously driven from a drive pulley, not shown, the upper run of the belt passing over an idler pulley 392, Fig. 1, to a plate or apron 384 having integral supporting arms 306 (Figs. 1 to 3). These arms are secured as by bolts 308 to brackets 3m adjustably secured by set screws 3l2 to the posts 22 at each end of the machine.

The belt 30!] passes, as shown in Fig. 1, from the plate 304 over a further pulley cm from which it returns to the drive pulley by passing below the plate 304. From the belt 300, the containers are transferred, as shown in Fig. 1, over a stationary plate 3; to a further moving belt M8,

are straight discharge or delivery tubes or chutes 286 which are connected to the hopper by a flexible or resilient sleeve 288, for instance of rubber,

, bolt 336.

The container guides are adjustable to and In order to direct the containers to their proper position below the discharge tubes 266, a guide channel 330 is provided extending substantially centrally of the belt 300. Thechannel is formed by outer and inner guide rail members, one of which is positioned adjacent to each edge of the upper run of the belt 306. Each guide member consists asshown in Figure 3 of the upper guide bar 332 and lower guide bar 334, secured as by welding to the end brackets 336 which are secured tothe plate straps 336 as by away from each other to permit the guide channel to accommodate and centralize difierent sized containers. For this purpose, slots 34!), Fig. 2, are provided in the plate supports 306, with the slots of suificient length to accommodate an adjustment for the various sized cans to be used with the machine. To assist the operator in making rapid settings during a day's run when a change is to be made in the size of .the'containers to be fed by the belt; the slots are suitably indexed with numerals corresponding to the different sizedcans and a zero marking provided on the foot of the brackets-336 In additionfa table of can sizes and settings is provided at some point on the mechanism, for instance the tank 30, where it may be readily observed by the operator, or referred'to in making changes.

A. stop mechanism to control movement of the,

containers past the discharge tubes 266 and comprising, as shown in Figs. 17 to 19 inclusive, a feed stop unit 342 to control movement of containers from the feed linev into. cherry receiving position and a similar discharge stop unit 344 to control discharge of filled containers is located immediately behind the container feed channel. Each stop unit comprises, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3,-a stop arm slide frame 346 which is secured to the under face of a supporting bracket 348 by bolt 350 (Fig. l). The bracket is adjustably mounted upon the nearest post 22 by a set screw 352.

The slide frame 346 is of U-shape (see Fig. 5) and is located in inverted position so that the sides thereof point downwardly and provide bearings for slidably fitted parallel reciprocating rods 354 and 356, which operate in these'portions of the frame. Moreover, the. frame is so located that the rods operate from front to rear -of the machine. Furthermore, the rods carry a connecting block 358 which is fixed to the adjacent 'ends of these rods at the rear side of the machine. Fixed to each block 358 and projecting horizontally'and normal to the rods 354 and 366 is a stop bar 359 which is adiustably slidable in the block and is locked therein by a set screw 360.

As shown in Figs. 17 to 19, a stop finger 362 is connected to the end of the stop bar of the feed stop unit 342, and at right angles thereto and projects in a horizontal position, in the direction of the container feed channel. A similar stop finger 363 is connected to the discharge stop unit 344 and is similarly positioned. It will be observed from Figs. 1'7 to 19 that the stop fingers are located between the two stop units but it will be understood that this positioning is optional and that the stop fingers may be located on the same or diiferent sides of the stop units as desired.

The stop fingers 362 and 363 are reciprocated in andout of the container channel through the slide rods previously mentioned and the slide mechanism is driven through a laterally projecting pin 364 which is fixed to the lower slide rod 366 between the bearings of the frame 346. The pin terminates in a collar portion and is held to the slide rod by the set screw 366, as shown in Fig. 4.

Motion is imparted to each slide mechanism by levers 368 (Figs. 4 and 5) each having its. fulcrum in a bracket310, secured by bolt 312 to the base 20. The levers are pivotally mounted in the brackets 310 by means of pins 314 which are rigidly secured in the levers. The upper ends of the levers are fork-shaped (see Fig. 5) and fit over the operating pins 364 of the slide mechanism. The levers 368 are rocked by cams 316 located on each side of the machine, through cam rollers 318 which engage the endless camway 386 of the cams, and are secured to the levers substantially midway their length by studs 382. The cams are fiiigeld to the main driveshaft I06 and rotate therew t 4s previously indicated, the two stop units are of the same character. However, the cam of one is set slightly ahead of the other in order that the action depicted in Figs. 17, 18 and 19 may be obtained. Thus, the cams are set so that the stop finger 362 (Fig. 1'7) moves into the container channel to stop motion of containers moving in from the feed line. In the meantime, the stop finger 363 is moved out of the container channel and permits any containers that were previously held between the stops to pass it. After the containers have passed out of the space between the two stop fingers, stop finger 363 (Fig. 18) again moves into the container channel. When this occurs, stop finger 362 is moved out ofthe channel and containers X, as shown in Fig. 18, are permitted to move past it up to the stop finger 363.

When the containers have come to rest, stop finger 362 is again moved into the container channel and the positioning of the stops and containers is then as shown in Fig. 19, which shows a bank of containers X held between the two stop fingers and stop finger 362 acting to hold back containers Y of the feed line. When the containers X are ready for discharge, stop finger 363 is again moved out of position to permit the containers X between the stop fingers to move on to the discharge position. v

It will be observed from Figs. 17 to 19 inclusive that the stop fingers 3.62 and 363 of the stop units 342 and 344 respectively are laterally adjustable by moving the stop finger bars 359 in the blocks 3%. In this manner the distance between the stop fingers 362 and 363 may be adjusted to accommodate any predetermined number of cans within the range of the adjustment. Thus for example, as shown in Fig. 19, the stop fingers are set to receive a bank of five containers. However, by moving the stop finger bars 356 laterally the number of containers between the stop fingers can manifestly be increased, for example, to 9. It is merely necessary to provide sufficient length to the stop finger bars to set the range to anything from one container upward. A further feature of the stop finger mechanism is the ease with which the stop mechanism Operation In operation of the disclosed embodiment of the invention, liquid is provided in the tanks 30 and 32 up to the level 48 and a mass of cherry pieces is placed in the tank 32. The pick-up elements I64 are checked for count and those not to be used are placed in the held-out'position. In addition, partitions H are properly positioned or entirely omitted if the entire volume of the tank is to be employed. Moreover, the discharge tubes 285 are arranged in the desired grouping to de liver the requisite count of cherry pieces to the containers passing below them upon the belt 389 and the stop fingers 352 and 383 are set for the desired number of containers.

Power is now imparted to the motor I34 and to the belt 300 of the container feed mechanism, and rotation of the latter and the cams I25, 228 and 376cm the drive shaft I is started.

Assuming the mechanism is in the position illustrated in Fig. 5 the displacement tubes 82 now start moving down into the tank 32. When the cherry engaging seats 86, thereof have just against the liquid therein. Continued downward movement of the tubes causes the forceful exit of liquid from the openings 84 of the cherry engaging seats of the tubes and produces a disturbance or stirring of the cherry mass in the tank 53 by reason of the liquid jets emitting from the openings. As a result, the cherries in the tank 32 now begin to float about.

By the time the tubes have reached the limit of their downward movement and are below the mass of floating cherry pieces, the pick-up mechanism has also moved and both are now in the relativ position shown in Fig. 7.

The tubes 78 now start moving upwardly through the mass of cherry pieces, picking up cherry pieces directly in their path and drawing other cherry pieces to them by reason of the suction effect created by the piston it!) which now exhausts liquid from the lower end of the tubes creating a vacuum ahead of the piston and thereby drawing liquid in small streams through the openings 84!, of the seats 86 through which streams suction influence is imparted to cherry pieces in the vicinity of the tubes acljacent the cherry engaging seats.

While the tubes 82 rise, the pick-up mechanism starts movement toward the pick-up position above the tubes and as this occurs thedischarge stop finger 353 of the container feed mechanism moves out of the container guide channel to permit any containers held thereby to pass on, as shown in Fig. 17, the container feed line being meanwhile held up by the stop finger 362. When a sufiicient time has elapsed for any containers between the two stops to clear the discharge '86 of the tubes. The tubes'then continue-their upward movement with such cherry pieces as are retained upon the seats of these tubes.

The pick-up mechanism has by now completed its return movement and since the pick-up elements we are thus directly over the displacement tubes 82 the cherry pieces at the center of the seats thereof impact the barb pointed pins am of the pick-up elements just above them, which by reason of their mass penetrate and impale the cherry pieces.

The cherry pieces having now been impaled by the pick-up elements, the tubes 82 start moving downward for a further charge and the pick-up mechanism moves toward its discharge position above the discharge hoppers 282. As each pickup element I64 passes above its respective discharge hopper, the stripper bar 258 which has now moved downwardly due to the cam track 280, strips the cherry pieces ofithe pins and they fall into the hopper from which they pass into their respective connecting delivery chutes 286 and into the containers above. which the chutes are positioned.

When the pins have all discharged their respective cherry pieces the pick-up mechanism again returns to the pick-up position above the delivery chutes and the discharge stop 363 again functions to release the containers that have just been filled. This condition is depicted in Fig. 17 where the containers X are shown moving past the discharge stop 383. While this occurs the feed line is held back by the stop 362. When the cans X have cleared the stop 363, the stop as 362 functions as describedpreviously to permit 40 ferred embodiment of my invention, it will be stop finger 353, it again starts moving in, as in Fig. 18, and as this occurs the stop finger 362 moves out, as also shown in this figure, and

permits a new supply of containers to move into position and approach the stop '363. Such movement is designated by the containersmarked X in Fig. 18. By the time the leading container pistons Hit leave the tubes, thus breaking any further suction effect at the cherry engaging seats seen that I'have provided a novel method and apparatus for feeding cherry pieces or other fruits, and a novel method and apparatus for continuously and repeatedly delivering accurate predetermined counts of such fruit pieces to a source of delivery or use, for-instance, containers beingpacked with fruit pieces. It will be apparent that the mechanism of the invention is very flexible and is capable of many combinations of counts.

It will also be manifest that while the particular method and apparatus herein described is well adapted to carry out the objects of the present invention, the invention embodies many features of construction, assembly and operation and it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains that various modifications, changes and substitutions may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

Thus, for example, certain liquid logged fruits, such as pineapple pieces, are floated only with dimculty and there is a tendency sometimes for the displacement tubes 82 to form what I term holes in the mass, in spite of the liquidagitation provided. In such cases, agitation may be supplemented or entirely provided by mechanical or other suitable means, for instance the member 384 depicted in Fig. 20, in which the apparatus is shown in the same relative position as that in Fig. 5; I

The member 3% comprises a plate 386 loosely mounted over the piston rod's 542. A plurality of 

